What is fixer?
fix·er
ˈfiksər/
noun
1.
1.
a person who makes
arrangements for other people, esp. of an illicit or devious kind.
2.
2.
a substance used
for fixing a photographic image.
A lot of
definitions about “fixer”, and here below are conversation in www.lighstalkers.org about what “fixer”
is:
When traveling to a place you are not familiar
with, especially places that can be potentially dangerous a fixer is someone
who knows the area (where to go, more importantly where not to go), the
culture, the people, has connections and can get things done that an outsider
may not be able to accomplish. Fixers are not necessarily also translators, but
it helps if they are.
For example, you can have an itinerary of topics
you want to work on, communicate that to the fixer and he/she can usually get
the ball rolling on where and when you can work on those topics while you are
in country. I have a particularly good relationship with a fixer that I use in
Haiti and he always meets me at the airport when I arrive, makes sure I’m set
up at the hotel, negotiates good rates, etc. in addition to helping me find
content and take care of logistics.
You can go somewhere without a fixer, but you can be much more
effective and efficient with one and in some cases they can save your life
and/or keep you from getting robbed or harassed. I would very highly recommend
using them. And chances are if you need one where ever you are going, you can
ask on here and someone can recommend one.
A fixer
is your eyes, ears, mouth, your security, guide sometimes driver and most of
the time translator. A fixer is your best-friend. If you do not trust your
fixer with your ideas, how can you trust him or her with your life? Your fixer
is the one who connects the dots for you.
Fixer
are often times the life blood of photographers. I cant speak their praises
enough. I have encounter some pretty amazing people over the years but one that
really sticks out is Faseeh Shams from http://www.mediasystemsi.com/ The guy
put some really amazing stuff together for me and kept me so safe i owe him my
life.
by Don Mirra San Diego, United States
by Don Mirra San Diego, United States
My stomach churns when
someone calls fixers “Taxi Drivers”. Usually people calling them taxi drivers
are some low key journalists who have never worked for a respectable
organization with a respectable budget and who can never afford to hire a
“real” fixer. Also, a photographers fixer is almost a translator/taxi driver
and for TV and print reporters, it is usually a more professional fixer, who is
also a freelance journalist.
A fixer is someone, when given a specific brief, manages to
organize everything, stories, interviews, access etc!
And no, we are not street thugs and most of them do not know how
to drive too! (I do). We do of course will watch our client’s back but we are
not body guards.
If you want someone to drive around, find a driver. If you want someone
to take a bullet for you, hire a bodyguard. If you want a “partner” for your
story, who will do everything to make sure you get a great story, even if it
means driving you around in a bicycle, take a hail of bullets or face an unruly
crowd, then hire a “Fixer”.
Fixer is a person that
makes you and your work comfortable in that place which is unfamiliar for
you. Yes some time its provides facility of Driver and also vehicle..
I had work with some people and give then that facility. In some unknown cities of country i had also arranged another for then,
I had work with some people and give then that facility. In some unknown cities of country i had also arranged another for then,
